How to Go to College Almost for Free: The Secrets of Winning Scholarship Money

by Kaplan, Ben R.

• ISBN13: 9780060937652
• ISBN10: 0060937653
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2010-03-15
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publications

Summary

The ultimate scholarship toolbox with four essential scholarship resources--an aggressive "how-to" guide that teaches the techniques of top scholarship winners, a directory of scholarship prizes, and a library of winning essays, applications, support letters and other sample materials.

Table of Contents

``The Game''	xvii
Let the Games Begin!	1	(22)
Part I: How the Game Is Played
The Big, Bad World of Financial Aid	23	(36)
Exploding Seven Scholarship Myths	24	(6)
Demystifying the Lingo	30	(3)
Need Versus Merit	33	(11)
Other Forms of Financial Aid	44	(11)
The Importance of Merit-Based Awards	55	(1)
Summary and Keywords	56	(3)
Rules of the Merit Money Game	59	(32)
A Game for Everyone	60	(7)
The Scholarship Funders	67	(5)
The Scholarship Administrators	72	(1)
Application Judges	73	(1)
Targeted Scholarship Awards	74	(5)
Scholarship Application Components	79	(5)
Steer Clear of (Most) Entry Fees	84	(1)
Spending Your Merit Scholarships	85	(2)
Summary and Keywords	87	(4)
What Parents Can Do to Help	91	(16)
Seven Ways Parents Can Help	92	(1)
Helping with Scholarship Searching	93	(2)
Strategizing with Your Kids	95	(1)
Providing Research Assistance	96	(1)
Keeping Things Organized	97	(1)
Being a Good Sounding Board	97	(1)
Reviewing the Application	98	(2)
Giving Support and Encouragement	100	(3)
Summary and Keywords	103	(4)
Part II: Getting Ready to Play
Finding Your Own Pot of Gold	107	(68)
The Scholarship Rainbow	108	(1)
Five Principles of Scholarship Searching	108	(6)
Ten ``Show Me the Money'' Action Steps	114	(1)
Assemble Your Scholarship Search Tools	115	(1)
Tap Into Your School's Resources	116	(3)
Search Scholarship Databases	119	(29)
Politely Raid Other Schools' Resources	148	(1)
Canvas Your Community	149	(3)
Seek Out Government Sources	152	(2)
Pursue All Personal and Family Affiliations	154	(2)
Apply Effective Internet Search Techniques	156	(5)
Uncover School-Specific Awards	161	(4)
Seek Out Related Organizations	165	(4)
Summary and Keywords	169	(6)
Part III: Strategies That Give You the Edge
Painting Your Own Portrait	175	(22)
Knowing the Person	176	(1)
The Painter's Touch	177	(4)
Employing Your Theme	181	(4)
Nine Winning Themes	185	(10)
Finding Your Theme	195	(1)
Summary and Keywords	195	(2)
Positioning Strategies	197	(20)
Scoring Points	198	(7)
Considering Your Competitors	205	(2)
Ten Universal Judging Criteria	207	(8)
Summary and Keywords	215	(2)
Content Strategies	217	(20)
Scholarship Bodybuilding	218	(1)
Analyzing Depth and Width	219	(1)
The Essential Content Strategies	220	(8)
All About Academics	228	(5)
Summary and Keywords	233	(4)
Part IV: When the Whistle Blows
A Winning Game Plan	237	(16)
Eight Principles of Effective Scholarship Campaigns	238	(13)
Summary and Keywords	251	(2)
Essay Excellence	253	(32)
Five Principles of Winning Essays	254	(7)
Spanning Topics and Recycling Essays	261	(5)
Finding Your Own Voice	266	(4)
Getting in the Flow	270	(3)
Honing Your Essay	273	(5)
Advice for Specific Topics	278	(3)
Short Answer Questions	281	(2)
Summary and Keywords	283	(2)
Glowing Recommendation Letters	285	(20)
In Search of Perfect Recommendations	286	(1)
Star Witnesses	287	(1)
Five ``Great Recommendation'' Action Steps	287	(12)
Qualities of a Great Letter	299	(4)
Summary and Keywords	303	(2)
Filling in the Blanks	305	(18)
Paperwork Prowess	306	(4)
The Stat Sheet	310	(1)
Activity Lists	311	(3)
Awards and Honors Lists	314	(1)
The Transcript	315	(4)
Additional Materials	319	(1)
Mailing Your Application	320	(1)
Summary and Keywords	321	(2)
Acing the Interview	323	(20)
Interview Mastery	324	(1)
Preparing For the Interview	324	(8)
The Big Day	332	(2)
The Main Event	334	(4)
Summary and Keywords	338	(5)
Part V: When the Buzzer Sounds
Parting Shots	343	(24)
The Home Stretch	344	(1)
Keeping Track of Your Winnings	344	(5)
Using Testing to Slash College Costs	349	(4)
What We've Learned	353	(2)
The Appendices
Appendix A: Scholarship Coach Search Profile Worksheet	355	(2)
Appendix B: State Agency Contacts	357	(6)
Appendix C: ScholarshipCoach.com Keyword Master List	363	(4)
Index:	367